–Five days is the minimum for a truly satisfying Tanzania northern circuit safari — and when planned well, it is enough to experience three of the greatest national parks in Africa, witness extraordinary wildlife, and return home with memories that last a lifetime. This itinerary has been refined by Serac Adventure’s safari team over many years of running the northern circuit from our Moshi base.
The classic 5-day route covers Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater — Tanzania’s three most iconic wildlife destinations. It departs from and returns to Moshi or Arusha, making it ideal for travellers flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
| 5-day northern circuit safari at a glance |
| Departs from: Moshi or Arusha (hotel pickup included) |
| Parks visited: Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater |
| Total driving distance: approximately 900km (round trip) |
| Game drives: 6 full or half game drives across 5 days |
| Accommodation: 1 night Tarangire, 2 nights Serengeti, 1 night Ngorongoro area |
| Serac Adventure price from: $1,600 per person (group rate, mid-range lodges) |
| Best season: year-round — see itinerary notes for seasonal adjustments |
| Vehicle: private 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
The 5-day northern circuit route — overview
The itinerary follows a logical geographic loop that minimises driving time while maximising park time. From Moshi, you drive west to Tarangire, continue to the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro highlands, then circle back east through Ngorongoro for the crater descent before returning to Moshi.
| Day 1 Tarangire | Moshi → Tarangire National Park (first half day game drive) Drive approximately 2.5 hours from Moshi to Tarangire National Park. After a roadside lunch picnic, enter the park for an afternoon game drive — the ideal introduction to East African wildlife. Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. In the dry season (June–October), the Tarangire River draws exceptional concentrations of wildlife: elephants in the hundreds, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, impala, oryx, and their predators. Overnight at Tarangire area lodge or tented camp. |
| Day 2 Serengeti | Tarangire → Serengeti National Park (full day game drive en route) An early start for the scenic drive northwest through the Ngorongoro highlands — a beautiful journey through highland forest, Maasai villages, and dramatic escarpment views. Enter the Serengeti via the Naabi Hill Gate and begin your first Serengeti game drive immediately. The central Seronera Valley is your base: resident lion prides, leopards in acacia trees, cheetahs on termite mounds, elephant herds, and millions of plains animals. Overnight inside the Serengeti at your lodge or tented camp. |
| Day 3 Serengeti | Full day in Serengeti National Park A full, gloriously uninterrupted day in the Serengeti — the centrepiece of your safari. Early morning game drive when predators are most active: lions returning from overnight hunts, cheetahs beginning their day, leopards descending from their night perches. A midday break at camp (most lodges offer lunch and pool time) before an afternoon drive targeting different habitats and species. Your guide adjusts the day based on recent wildlife reports — following lion kills, Migration herd movements, or specific sightings from other guide teams. This is your best opportunity for extended sightings and photography. |
| Day 4 Ngorongoro | Serengeti → Ngorongoro Conservation Area Leave the Serengeti in the morning after an early game drive, then drive east toward the Ngorongoro highlands. The road climbs through dramatic highland scenery before reaching the crater rim at approximately 2,300m elevation. Check in at your rim lodge or proceed to Karatu town. The late afternoon on the crater rim offers exceptional photography — the vast caldera stretches below, often with cloud pouring over the rim in a spectacular display. Sundowners on the crater rim are one of the most atmospheric moments of any Tanzania safari. Overnight on the rim (recommended) or in Karatu. |
| Day 5 Crater + return | Ngorongoro Crater descent + return to Moshi The highlight morning of the safari. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at first light — the 6-hour descent limit makes an early start essential for maximum time on the floor. Spend the morning in one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife arenas: searching for black rhino in the open grasslands, watching lion prides drag buffalo kills at dawn, photographing hippos and flamingos at Lake Magadi, and enjoying the sheer density of wildlife that this 260km² enclosure sustains year-round. Ascend the crater by midday and drive back to Moshi — arriving early to mid-afternoon. Celebration dinner in Moshi. |
Day-by-day summary
| Day | Route | Drive time | Game drive | Overnight |
| Day 1 | Moshi → Tarangire NP | ~2.5 hrs | Half day PM | Tarangire area lodge |
| Day 2 | Tarangire → Serengeti (via NCA) | ~4.5 hrs + game drive | Game drive en route + arrival PM | Serengeti lodge/camp |
| Day 3 | Full day Serengeti | None | Full day AM + PM | Serengeti lodge/camp |
| Day 4 | Serengeti → Ngorongoro rim | ~3 hrs + morning drive | Morning game drive before leaving | Ngorongoro rim lodge |
| Day 5 | Crater + Moshi | ~3 hrs after crater | Full morning crater (6 hours) | Return to Moshi |
Wildlife highlights by park
Tarangire — elephants, baobabs, and big dry-season concentrations
Tarangire is the most underrated park on the northern circuit and the perfect introduction. The Tarangire River is Tanzania’s second-largest elephant population — in the dry season months of July–October, hundreds of elephants converge at the river daily, making for some of the most dramatic elephant encounters in Africa. The baobab landscape is unique and photogenic. Also excellent for lesser kudu, gerenuk, oryx, and a remarkable 550+ bird species.
Serengeti — lions, cheetahs, Migration, and scale
Two days in the Serengeti is genuinely the minimum to feel the scale and diversity of this extraordinary park. The Seronera Valley offers year-round lion and leopard sightings. Cheetahs hunt in daylight on the open plains. If your dates align with the Migration (calving season January–March in the south; river crossings July–October in the north), your guide will position you for the best possible viewing. Even outside Migration season, the Serengeti’s resident wildlife population is outstanding.
Ngorongoro Crater — the most reliable Big Five experience in Tanzania
The crater descend on Day 5 morning is frequently the most memorable game drive of the entire safari. The combination of black rhino, dense lion prides, huge buffalo herds, resident elephants, hippos at Lake Magadi, flamingos, and hyena clans — all within 260 km² — creates an intensity of wildlife encounter that has no equal on the northern circuit.
Seasonal adjustments to this itinerary
| Season | Adjustment | Reason |
| Jan–Feb (calving) | Extend Serengeti to 3 nights, focus on Ndutu area | Wildebeest calving is in southern Serengeti — worth extra time |
| Jul–Oct (river crossings) | Add 1 night northern Serengeti | Mara River crossings are in the far north — extra time needed |
| Apr–May (long rains) | Build in flexibility for road conditions | Some routes can become muddy — itinerary may need adjustment |
| Jun (start of dry season) | Standard itinerary works well | Good conditions across all three parks |
Accommodation options for this itinerary
Budget camping (~$280–350 per person per day total)
Public campsites inside Tarangire and the Serengeti, plus a budget guesthouse in Karatu near Ngorongoro. No compromise on game viewing — the wildlife sightings are identical. The trade-off is comfort in the evenings and at night, particularly in the cold Serengeti nights.
Mid-range lodges (~$420–600 per person per day total) — recommended
This is Serac Adventure’s most popular tier for the northern circuit. Well-appointed lodges and permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and good food. A significant improvement in comfort without the luxury price. Recommended lodges on this route include Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge or Kubu Kubu Tented Camp, and Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge.
Luxury lodges (~$800–1,200+ per person per day total)
Premium lodges and exclusive camps with the highest service levels in the industry. For honeymoons, special occasions, or travellers for whom the accommodation is as important as the wildlife. Serac Adventure can book and operate luxury-tier itineraries on request.
What is included in Serac Adventure’s 5-day northern circuit package
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Moshi or Arusha
- Private 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, A/C, and charging points
- Experienced certified driver-guide for the full 5 days
- All national park entry fees, conservation fees, and Ngorongoro crater descent fee
- 4 nights accommodation (mid-range lodge or camping depending on package tier)
- All meals: breakfast, lunch picnic boxes, and dinner throughout
- Bottled water in vehicle throughout
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from Serac Adventure team
Not included: international flights, Tanzania eVisa ($50–$100), travel insurance, crew tips ($125–$175 recommended), optional activities (hot air balloon, cultural visits).
How to extend this itinerary
- Add Lake Manyara (1 day): Slot between Tarangire and Serengeti. Tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippos, and exceptional birding. Adds one day and one night to the itinerary.
- Add northern Serengeti for river crossings (July–Oct, 1–2 extra days): Drive to Kogatende in the far north for the best Mara River crossing viewing. Worth the extra day if dates align.
- Add Zanzibar (3–5 days): Fly from Serengeti/Arusha to Zanzibar Island for beach recovery after the safari. One of the world’s great trip combinations.
- Combine with Kilimanjaro (7–9 extra days): Climb Kilimanjaro before or after the safari for the ultimate Tanzania adventure. Serac Adventure handles all logistics seamlessly.
| Book this 5-day northern circuit safari with Serac Adventure From $1,600 per person (mid-range lodges, group rate). Private vehicle throughout. Fully tailor-made — your dates, your pace, your accommodation preferences. Contact us: +255 785 790 460 (WhatsApp) | info@seracadventure.com |
